Irreversible Transponder Attachment for Carcass Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing meat hooks with transponders for identifying carcasses have reversible mechanical assignments, making it difficult to ensure irreversible marking and tracking.

Innovation Solution

A device with a fixing mechanism featuring latching elements and a trigger mechanism that irreversibly connects a transponder to the carcass, allowing identification features to be written only after the device is securely attached, using a guide element to enable electrical or optical coupling between the antenna and chip, ensuring the transponder can only be written to in a locked state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a transponder is attached to a meat hook for identifying carcasses, then identification capability is improved, but the assignment remains reversible and can be reassigned to different carcasses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveirreversible markingVSAvoidreassignability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing a trigger mechanism that must be activated during the attachment process. This trigger permanently changes the transponder's state (e.g., breaks an isolation layer, closes a circuit, or activates writing capability) before the transponder can be written with identification data. This ensures that once attached to a carcass, the transponder cannot be reassigned to another carcass, thus achieving irreversible marking while maintaining the ability to attach and detach the device itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the transponder is always electrically connected to the antenna, then the transponder can be read and written at any time, but the transponder can be written to before irreversible attachment to the carcass

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransponder accessibilityVSAvoidmarking irreversibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by deliberately preventing the electrical connection between the transponder and antenna during the attachment process. The trigger mechanism is designed to break an isolation layer, close a circuit, or activate writing capability only when the device is properly attached to the carcass. This prevents premature writing or reading of the transponder before irreversible attachment, ensuring that identification data is only established at the correct moment in the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If a trigger mechanism is added to enable irreversible activation, then marking irreversibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveirreversible assignmentVSAvoidtrigger mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the trigger mechanism directly into the attachment structure itself. The trigger is combined with the clamping or fastening elements, so that the act of attaching the device to the carcass automatically activates the trigger. This eliminates the need for separate activation steps or additional control systems, achieving irreversible marking through the natural attachment process and minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides an irreversible marking system for carcasses, preventing reassignment and ensuring that identification features are permanently linked to the carcass, enhancing tracking and management efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the transponder has a memory or chip and an antenna, the trigger preferably being connected to the antenna of the transponder by means of the guide element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2784725B1Device for marking an animal carcass
Publication Date: 2016.03.23 SLA SOFTWARE LOGISTIK ARTLAND
  • EP2784725B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2784725B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2784725B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The device has locking elements which are moved relative to each other into an irreversible lock position. The locking elements are provided with a writable transponder (1). An antenna (2) and a memory unit are provided for memorizing and transmitting information from the tags. A trigger unit (3) is coupled to a guide element (4) with the writable transponder, so as to produce the trip signal and the writable transponder is operated according to the transmission of the trip signal.